Saturday, September 4, 2010

So I was curious--how long do each of you take to prepare for lecture? I tend to organize my thoughts and what I want to say through the creation of Powerpoints, but it takes me a ridiculously long amount of time to do this--like, 4-5 hours per 20-30 min lecture. Which, given that I'm teaching 3 times a week, takes up most of my time. I can prep Powerpoints themselves quickly, but it just takes me forever to think out the "bulletpoints" I want to cover.

Are any of you having a similar experience, or have advice on how to prep more efficiently?

Monday, August 30, 2010

So JUST TAUGHT MY FIRST EVER OWN CLASS! it was so amazing. A lot of freshmen, and I have three males registered, only two showed, and one is a hyper masculine white male but I really hope he stays--you all know I love a challenge! (P.S. you should've seen his face when I mentioned transpeople, queer people and whiteness hahaha). One student came up to me after class and said that she was so excited--she was like this is the best class ever (in my head I thought--don't put on the pressure now!). But all in all I think they are a good group, and I was really comfortable--mostly because I made fun of myself in front of them A LOT haha. I am really excited, I know it is going to be a lot of time and effort but for the first time in a long time I feel good and feel like I am where I need to be. You all inspire me and I don't think I could do this without you (especially you my roomie).

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Wow. So I feel like I'm really unprepared and I can't believe the first day is tomorrow. In many ways I feel like I procrastinated about this all summer and the reality of it really caught up to me today. I mean HELLLLO! I am teaching a college course for a year starting tomorrow. Wildest dream but also kinda like standing on the observation platform at the grand canyon and it's really beautiful but the canyon is full of all the work I have to do this year so I can't fully enjoy it. haha.Anyway I hope I can sleep tonight.Also my cat has worms and I have to go to the stupid vet tomorrow and hopefully it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg and my vacuum is broken. okay that's all.CMB

Hey everyone. So, this blog has been created for US, the GTAs of the Fall 2010 semester! Hooray for new experiences. I'd imagine we're all very excited (and probably pretty anxious) about being teachers. I think every single one of our mentors have told us to seek support from one another to ease this anxiety. Surely we will be see each other throughout the semester and be in verbal contact on a regular basis, but I figure that this blog might act as just one more way in which we can touch base and share with one another. So please post questions, comments, reflections, needs, wants, resources, rants, and hopefully, some amazing words of celebration.

Firs things first, I'm teaching WMNST 101 on Tuesdays and Thursdays 8am-9:15am in EBA something. Basically on the opposite side of campus from our office near parking structure one. How 'bout ya'll?